In-House Investigators Are A Huge Asset to Beasley Allen Clients

We wrote in our May 2014 issue on our in-house investigators. We said then that they provide critical pieces of the puzzle in injury and death cases that our firm handles. We learned very early in our firm’s existence that having in-house investigators is a definite advantage for the firm and the clients we represent. This advantage was on display recently during our involvement in the now-infamous and on-going GM defective ignition switch power failure issues.

Each of our investigators is equipped and trained in Crash Data Retrieval. In layman’s terms, that means that the investigators can extract the data from the airbag modules, commonly referred to as the vehicle’s “black box.” In these ignition switch defect cases this can be critical evidence. That’s because there is a definite signature from these downloads showing the vehicle power mode at the time of the crash as “off” or “inactive” and then documents the interruption of the data flow from the module, which is normally recording and analyzing the vehicle’s speed, RPMs, braking and the like. Because the vehicle thinks it has been turned off during a power ignition failure, it disables all of the safety devices such as seat belt restraints and air bags, and tremendously impedes the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle and bring it to a stop.

Being able to provide services like this as a part of our initial work-up of a case is just another reason we believe having in-house investigators is so valuable to our clients. Our firm is most fortunate to have a fully staffed investigative unit made up of individuals with extensive law enforcement/investigative training from State, County, and Municipal agencies.

Our Chief Investigator, Bruce Huggins, and Investigators Bobby Mozingo and Ricky Moore have been with the firm for more than 20 years. Investigator Mike Bush is a 15-year veteran at Beasley Allen. Investigators Keith Scott and Charles Duffee each have 12-plus years with the firm. Our most recent addition to the team – Investigator Marc McHenry – is in his second year with us.

One of the persons we did not spotlight in our earlier issue and who all of the investigators says is the “glue that holds the entire department together” is Jill Cawley. Jill, who is the units Administrative Assistant and Secretary, joined the firm in October of 1995. She initially worked with the Fraud Section and later worked as Secretary to one of the Personal Injury lawyers. Jill also worked with the Accounting Department before coming over to the Investigators in 2000.

Jill is responsible for transcribing the work product generated by all seven of the investigators. Jill grew up in an Air Force family and returned to Alabama in 1972. She is a 1976 graduate of Valley High School and holds an Associate Degree in Business from Southern Union and an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from what is now South University. Jill and her husband, Rob, celebrated their 36th anniversary on Dec. 10, 2014.

Our firm is fortunate to be able to offer the skills and services of our experienced in-house investigators, who can “spring into action” once our firm is hired at the very onset of a case. This allows our lawyers and staff to discover, gather, and secure valuable information and evidence early in case preparation. That’s very important and gives our clients a consistent work product and the best representation our firm can provide. We are blessed to have this resource available in-house.